Stater Bros. Markets promoted Bertha Luna to Senior Vice President of Retail Operations. In this role, she will report directly to Stater Bros. President Greg McNiff and will be responsible for leading the retail operations of all the company’s stores. Luna will serve as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team, which evaluates and sets vital strategies for the company.
Luna has helped Stater Bros. successfully steer through the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the supermarket chain said in a press release. She has played a vital role in reexamining their stores’ operations and providing them the tools to operate more efficiently, freeing up store teammates to take better care of their customers. In addition, Luna has instituted policies that have given their store management teams a better work/life balance.
“Bertha’s promotion recognizes her outstanding leadership and the significant contributions she has made in strengthening the operations of our stores,” said Stater Bros. CEO Pete Van Helden. “As she joins our Executive Leadership Team, I look forward to working with her as she shares her valuable perspectives and insights,” Van Helden added.
Related Article: Bertha Luna: From Grocery Clerk to Regional Vice President
Luna was eight years old when she arrived in California with her family from Zacatecas in Mexico. She grew up in California, graduated from high school, and began her career in the supermarket industry as a Courtesy Clerk at Lucky Stores. Luna joined the Stater Bros. team as a Store Manager during Stater Bros.’ acquisition of Albertson’s and Lucky Stores in 1999.
Within a year, she transitioned to a role in retail supervision, first as a Retail Grocery Supervisor and then Retail District Manager. After serving in the Human Resources Department as Director of Diversity, she returned to the Retail Department in 2017, resuming the role of a Retail District Manager before being promoted to Senior Director of Retail Operations shortly after that. For the last year, she has served as Vice President of Retail.
Luna earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Western Governors University and is a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) Food Industry Executive Program. She currently serves on several company committees, including the Refresh Committee, Energy and Sustainability Committee, and e-Commerce Committee. In addition, she is a Retail Management Services, Inc. (RMS) board member.
Stater Bros. Markets serves the community in Southern California with more than 170 supermarkets and through the help of 18,000 employees.